Business TOEFL Reading Passages

Business TOEFL Reading Passages

by Ms Steffany

• ​Recognizing the organization and purpose of a passage.

• ​Recognizing the relationship between main ideas and detail points

• ​Omitting insignificant details from the summary chart

• ​Identifying which sentences are proper paraphrases of the text

​Completing Summaries Skill

​​Completing Tables Skill

• Recognizing the overall organization to quickly find the major points

• ​Distinguishing between major and minor points of the passage

• ​Placing concepts with certain category

Multiple Select

Resume

A person writes a resumé when seeking employment. It outlines one's skills, education, and experience. It is sent to potential employers. The information included in a resumé can be presented in a number of ways. There are three basic types of resumés.

The first type is the chronological resumé. This is the most popular. It presents information according to time (most recent to least recent). The second type is the functional resumé. It highlights a person's experience. The third type is a combination resumé. It is a combination of the first two. When writing a resumé, the type that can best highlight one's skills, education, and experience should be selected .

Q. Match the phrases below. Select the appropriate phrases from the answer choices and match them to the CHRONOLOGICAL resumé to which they relate. TWO of the answer choices will NOT be used .

• It is the most popular type.

• It is organized by experience as well as time.

• It explains experience from past jobs.

   

• It is the most difficult to write.

• It lists information from most recent to least recent.

Multiple Select

Resume

A person writes a resumé when seeking employment. It outlines one's skills, education, and experience. It is sent to potential employers. The information included in a resumé can be presented in a number of ways. There are three basic types of resumés.

The first type is the chronological resumé. This is the most popular. It presents information according to time (most recent to least recent). The second type is the functional resumé. It highlights a person's experience. The third type is a combination resumé. It is a combination of the first two. When writing a resumé, the type that can best highlight one's skills, education, and experience should be selected .

Q. Match the phrases below. Select the appropriate phrases from the answer choices and match them to the COMBINATION resumé to which they relate. TWO of the answer choices will NOT be used .

• It is the most difficult to write.

• It is organized by experience as well as time.

• It is a chronological and functional resumé all in one.

• It is not an effective type.

• It explains experience from past jobs.

Multiple Choice

Resume

A person writes a resumé when seeking employment. It outlines one's skills, education, and experience. It is sent to potential employers. The information included in a resumé can be presented in a number of ways. There are three basic types of resumés.

The first type is the chronological resumé. This is the most popular. It presents information according to time (most recent to least recent). The second type is the functional resumé. It highlights a person's experience. The third type is a combination resumé. It is a combination of the first two. When writing a resumé, the type that can best highlight one's skills, education, and experience should be selected .

Q. It can be inferred from the passage that

• writing a resumé is one of the first steps in looking for work

• employers only read combination resumés

• a chronological resumé is the best type

• experience is more important than skills

Multiple Choice

Resume

A person writes a resumé when seeking employment. It outlines one's skills, education, and experience. It is sent to potential employers. The information included in a resumé can be presented in a number of ways. There are three basic types of resumés.

The first type is the chronological resumé. This is the most popular. It presents information according to time (most recent to least recent). The second type is the functional resumé. It highlights a person's experience. The third type is a combination resumé. It is a combination of the first two. When writing a

resumé, the type that can best highlight one's skills, education, and experience should be selected .

Q. The word "highlights" in the passage is closest in meaning to

• makes

• emphasizes

• includes

• deletes

Open Ended

In question 1, how did you know which of the answer choices were WRONG ? Explain or show how you knew they were wrong.

Multiple Select

Investment

People often want to save money for the future. They typically look for investment opportunities to increase their savings. They want to do this with little risk to their original investment. In other words, investors do not want to lose money.

Although they are not totally risk free, mutual funds and real estate are two popular low-risk investments. Investors can purchase units in a mutual fund. Each unit by itself is typically not very expensive. If the fund makes a profit, this profit is returned to the investor. Investors also like purchasing houses and properties. They often increase in value. Investors receive the profits when they sell. Both of these investment methods offer the average person an opportunity to easily increase their savings.

Q.  Directions: Match the phrases below. Select the appropriate phrases from the answer choices and match them to the MUTUAL FUNDS investment to which they relate. TWO of the answer choices will NOT be used.

•  

  Investors purchase units

• Always make a profit

• Profits are returned to the investor

• A.    Has a high risk, but increases faster

•   Not expensive

Multiple Select

Investment

People often want to save money for the future. They typically look for investment opportunities to increase their savings. They want to do this with little risk to their original investment. In other words, investors do not want to lose money.

Although they are not totally risk free, mutual funds and real estate are two popular low-risk investments. Investors can purchase units in a mutual fund. Each unit by itself is typically not very expensive. If the fund makes a profit, this profit is returned to the investor. Investors also like purchasing houses and properties. They often increase in value. Investors receive the profits when they sell. Both of these investment methods offer the average person an opportunity to easily increase their savings.

Q.  Directions: Complete the table by matching the phrases below. Select the appropriate phrases from the answer choices and match them to the REAL ESTATE investment to which they relate. TWO of the answer choices will NOT be used.

• Investor receives the profits when he sells

• Investors purchase units

• Usually increases in value

•  Has a high risk, but increases faster

Multiple Choice

Investment

People often want to save money for the future. They typically look for investment opportunities to increase their savings. They want to do this with little risk to their original investment. In other words, investors do not want to lose money.

Although they are not totally risk free, mutual funds and real estate are two popular low-risk investments. Investors can purchase units in a mutual fund. Each unit by itself is typically not very expensive. If the fund makes a profit, this profit is returned to the investor. Investors also like purchasing houses and properties. They often increase in value. Investors receive the profits when they sell. Both of these investment methods offer the average person an opportunity to easily increase their savings.

Q. What can be inferred from the passage ?

• There is less chance of losing money in mutual funds or real estate than other investments .

• Investing is difficult

• Anyone can make money in mutual funds or real estate

• Real estate always increases in value

Multiple Choice

Investment

People often want to save money for the future. They typically look for investment opportunities to increase their savings. They want to do this with little risk to their original investment. In other words, investors do not want to lose money.

Although they are not totally risk free, mutual funds and real estate are two popular low-risk investments. Investors can purchase units in a mutual fund. Each unit by itself is typically not very expensive. If the fund makes a profit, this profit is returned to the investor. Investors also like purchasing houses and properties. They often increase in value. Investors receive the profits when they sell. Both of these investment methods offer the average person an opportunity to easily increase their savings.

Q.  "Real estate," as used in the passage, means

• earth

• buildings

• land

• land and buildings

Open Ended

In question 1. how did you know which of the answer choices were WRONG? Explain or show how you knew they were wrong.

​Understanding Referents

• ​It is important that the meaning of the word fits the meaning of the context and not just a general meaning of the particular word

• ​Try to guess the meaning from your understanding of the sentence

• ​If you are unfamiliar with a word, look for examples, antonyms, or adjective clauses in the text around it for any clues to its meaning

​Understanding Vocabulary

• ​Usually, the pronoun appears after its referent. Look at nouns that come before the highlighted pronoun

• ​ Look at the form of the pronoun and identify whether it refers to a person, a thing, or an idea

• ​Identify whether the pronoun is singular or plural

Multiple Choice

Financial Aid

After graduating from high school, many students go on to study at a college or university. Sometimes, it is not easy to decide what to study; however, for some, choosing a major can be a pleasure. Usually, the main difficulty is figuring out how to pay for college. Studying at a college or university can be very expensive. Some universities charge $ 40,000 a year for tuition. Considering many students will spend four years studying at a university, this can amount to a very large sum of money. Most young people and their families do not have that kind of money, so students must find ways to finance their education.

A common way to pay for school is through student loans. An educational loan can be obtained at the college's financial aid department. Students will have to provide evidence of how much money they earn, and in some cases, how much money their parents earn. A student with wealthy parents may be less likely to receive a student loan than a student whose parents earn less money. Students will also have to show how much they have in the bank to pay for education. A worker in the financial aid department will then calculate the loan amount. If a student has little money, he or she will approve a larger loan. If a student needs only a little money, the loan will be smaller. In the end, most students can get some amount of aid to pay for school.

Not all students want to take out a student loan. Instead, they might work summer jobs to earn extra money to pay for school. Students may also work on campus during the school year. In fact, many financial aid offices can help a person find on-campus student employment. The money earned from these part-time jobs can be very helpful for paying tuition and covering the expense of living that a student loan might not fully provide for.

An additional source of income for university students is scholarships. A scholarship is money awarded to a student based on his or her academic performance. Students who earn higher grades are eligible to receive more scholarships. The money for these scholarships are usually provided by governments and through donations from companies that want to assist students. A university's financial aid department can assist students looking for scholarships as well as loans.

Q. In paragraph 2, what does he or she refer to?

• The male student

• The female studert

• Either the male or female student

• The financial aid worker

Multiple Choice

Financial Aid

After graduating from high school, many students go on to study at a college or university. Sometimes, it is not easy to decide what to study; however, for some, choosing a major can be a pleasure. Usually, the main difficulty is figuring out how to pay for college. Studying at a college or university can be very expensive. Some universities charge $ 40,000 a year for tuition. Considering many students will spend four years studying at a university, this can amount to a very large sum of money. Most young people and their families do not have that kind of money, so students must find ways to finance their education.

A common way to pay for school is through student loans. An educational loan can be obtained at the college's financial aid department. Students will have to provide evidence of how much money they earn, and in some cases, how much money their parents earn. A student with wealthy parents may be less likely to receive a student loan than a student whose parents earn less money. Students will also have to show how much they have in the bank to pay for education. A worker in the financial aid department will then calculate the loan amount. If a student has little money, he or she will approve a larger loan. If a student needs only a little money, the loan will be smaller. In the end, most students can get some amount of aid to pay for school.

Not all students want to take out a student loan. Instead, they might work summer jobs to earn extra money to pay for school. Students may also work on campus during the school year. In fact, many financial aid offices can help a person find on-campus student employment. The money earned from these part-time jobs can be very helpful for paying tuition and covering the expense of living that a student loan might not fully provide for.

An additional source of income for university students is scholarships. A scholarship is money awarded to a student based on his or her academic performance. Students who earn higher grades are eligible to receive more scholarships. The money for these scholarships are usually provided by governments and through donations from companies that want to assist students. A university's financial aid department can assist students looking for scholarships as well as loans.

Q. What does the pronoun they refer to in paragraph 3?   

• Loans

• Students

• Student Jobs

• Parents

Multiple Choice

Financial Aid

After graduating from high school, many students go on to study at a college or university. Sometimes, it is not easy to decide what to study; however, for some, choosing a major can be a pleasure. Usually, the main difficulty is figuring out how to pay for college. Studying at a college or university can be very expensive. Some universities charge $ 40,000 a year for tuition. Considering many students will spend four years studying at a university, this can amount to a very large sum of money. Most young people and their families do not have that kind of money, so students must find ways to finance their education.

A common way to pay for school is through student loans. An educational loan can be obtained at the college's financial aid department. Students will have to provide evidence of how much money they earn, and in some cases, how much money their parents earn. A student with wealthy parents may be less likely to receive a student loan than a student whose parents earn less money. Students will also have to show how much they have in the bank to pay for education. A worker in the financial aid department will then calculate the loan amount. If a student has little money, he or she will approve a larger loan. If a student needs only a little money, the loan will be smaller. In the end, most students can get some amount of aid to pay for school.

Not all students want to take out a student loan. Instead, they might work summer jobs to earn extra money to pay for school. Students may also work on campus during the school year. In fact, many financial aid offices can help a person find on-campus student employment. The money earned from these part-time jobs can be very helpful for paying tuition and covering the expense of living that a student loan might not fully provide for.

An additional source of income for university students is scholarships. A scholarship is money awarded to a student based on his or her academic performance. Students who earn higher grades are eligible to receive more scholarships. The money for these scholarships are usually provided by governments and through donations from companies that want to assist students. A university's financial aid department can assist students looking for scholarships as well as loans.

Q.  In paragraph 1 , the word "Finance" is closest in meaning to

• to pay for

• to finish

• to begin

• to get

Multiple Choice

Financial Aid

After graduating from high school, many students go on to study at a college or university. Sometimes, it is not easy to decide what to study; however, for some, choosing a major can be a pleasure. Usually, the main difficulty is figuring out how to pay for college. Studying at a college or university can be very expensive. Some universities charge $ 40,000 a year for tuition. Considering many students will spend four years studying at a university, this can amount to a very large sum of money. Most young people and their families do not have that kind of money, so students must find ways to finance their education.

A common way to pay for school is through student loans. An educational loan can be obtained at the college's financial aid department. Students will have to provide evidence of how much money they earn, and in some cases, how much money their parents earn. A student with wealthy parents may be less likely to receive a student loan than a student whose parents earn less money. Students will also have to show how much they have in the bank to pay for education. A worker in the financial aid department will then calculate the loan amount. If a student has little money, he or she will approve a larger loan. If a student needs only a little money, the loan will be smaller. In the end, most students can get some amount of aid to pay for school.

Not all students want to take out a student loan. Instead, they might work summer jobs to earn extra money to pay for school. Students may also work on campus during the school year. In fact, many financial aid offices can help a person find on-campus student employment. The money earned from these part-time jobs can be very helpful for paying tuition and covering the expense of living that a student loan might not fully provide for.

An additional source of income for university students is scholarships. A scholarship is money awarded to a student based on his or her academic performance. Students who earn higher grades are eligible to receive more scholarships. The money for these scholarships are usually provided by governments and through donations from companies that want to assist students. A university's financial aid department can assist students looking for scholarships as well as loans.

Q. The word " obtained " in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to

• reached

• requested

• received

• denied

Multiple Select

Financial Aid

After graduating from high school, many students go on to study at a college or university. Sometimes, it is not easy to decide what to study; however, for some, choosing a major can be a pleasure. Usually, the main difficulty is figuring out how to pay for college. Studying at a college or university can be very expensive. Some universities charge $ 40,000 a year for tuition. Considering many students will spend four years studying at a university, this can amount to a very large sum of money. Most young people and their families do not have that kind of money, so students must find ways to finance their education.

A common way to pay for school is through student loans. An educational loan can be obtained at the college's financial aid department. Students will have to provide evidence of how much money they earn, and in some cases, how much money their parents earn. A student with wealthy parents may be less likely to receive a student loan than a student whose parents earn less money. Students will also have to show how much they have in the bank to pay for education. A worker in the financial aid department will then calculate the loan amount. If a student has little money, he or she will approve a larger loan. If a student needs only a little money, the loan will be smaller. In the end, most students can get some amount of aid to pay for school.

Not all students want to take out a student loan. Instead, they might work summer jobs to earn extra money to pay for school. Students may also work on campus during the school year. In fact, many financial aid offices can help a person find on-campus student employment. The money earned from these part-time jobs can be very helpful for paying tuition and covering the expense of living that a student loan might not fully provide for.

An additional source of income for university students is scholarships. A scholarship is money awarded to a student based on his or her academic performance. Students who earn higher grades are eligible to receive more scholarships. The money for these scholarships are usually provided by governments and through donations from companies that want to assist students. A university's financial aid department can assist students looking for scholarships as well as loans.

Q. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage.  Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. 

 

First sentence:  Most students cannot afford to pay for their college tuition.

• Those who don't have enough money cannot go to college

• Students can borrow money to help pay tuition

• Some students choose to get part-time jobs to help pay tuition

• Most students prefer not to receive financial aid

• Scholarships are also available to help students cover the expense of their education