TOEFL Read in Daily Life
Short everyday texts from campus life (emails, notices, webpages) followed by two or three multiple-choice questions.
Not everything at university is an academic article. In this task you read the kind of text students meet every day and show that you understand what it says, why it was written, and what it implies.
How the Task Works
Short, practical texts and quick questions about purpose, details and meaning.
?The Task at a Glance
- Texts Everyday campus texts: an email from a professor, a sign, a notice, a webpage announcement.
- Length One or two short paragraphs.
- Questions Two or three multiple-choice questions per text.
- Focus Why the text was written, specific details, and what you can infer.
Text 1: Email
Read the text, then answer questions 1–3. Allow about 2 minutes.
Change to Thursday's Seminar
Dear students,
Because the lecture hall is being repainted this week, Thursday's seminar on renewable energy will take place in Room 214 of the Science Building instead. The start time stays the same: 2 p.m.
Please bring the reading I sent last week; we will discuss it in small groups. If you cannot attend, send me a short summary of the reading by Friday at noon so that you do not lose your participation points.
Best regards,
Dr. Martinez
1Why did the professor write the email?
2What should students who cannot attend do?
3What can be inferred about the seminar?
Show the answers
- 1. B: the email explains that the seminar moves to Room 214.
- 2. C: "send me a short summary of the reading by Friday at noon".
- 3. A: "we will discuss it in small groups" means group work.
Text 2: Notice
Read the text, then answer questions 4–6. Allow about 2 minutes.
Fitness Center: Winter Break Hours
FITNESS CENTER · WINTER BREAK HOURS
From December 20 to January 6, the Fitness Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and closed at weekends. The swimming pool will be closed for the whole period for cleaning.
Lockers must be emptied by December 19. Any items left after that date will be removed and kept at the front desk for two weeks.
Regular opening hours return on January 7.
4What is the main purpose of the notice?
5A student wants to swim on December 28. What will happen?
6What happens to items left in a locker after December 19?
Show the answers
- 4. B: the notice describes break hours, a pool closure and locker rules for a limited period.
- 5. C: the pool is "closed for the whole period", December 20 to January 6.
- 6. B: items are "kept at the front desk for two weeks".
Text 3: Webpage
Read the text, then answer questions 7–9. Allow about 2 minutes.
New: Book a Study Room Online
LIBRARY NEWS
Starting next Monday, group study rooms on the library's second floor can be reserved on the library website instead of at the information desk. Each group may book one room for up to three hours per day.
Rooms that are not occupied within 15 minutes of the start time will be released for other students. Please note that the quiet reading area on the third floor cannot be reserved.
7What is new about the study rooms?
8A group arrives 20 minutes after its booking starts. What may happen?
9Which statement is true according to the webpage?
Show the answers
- 7. B: rooms "can be reserved on the library website instead of at the information desk".
- 8. B: rooms not occupied within 15 minutes "will be released for other students".
- 9. C: "one room for up to three hours per day".
Strategies
Short texts reward careful, targeted reading.
✓Five Tips
- Ask "why?" Before the questions, decide what the text is for: to inform, request, warn or invite.
- Questions first The texts are short, so read the questions, then scan for the answers.
- Watch the details Dates, times, places and conditions ("if", "unless", "by Friday") are often tested.
- Read between the lines Some answers are implied, not stated. Choose what the text supports, not what seems likely.
- Notice the tone Is the message urgent, friendly or simply informative? Tone often points to the purpose.
Everyday English counts.
Read your own emails, notices and websites in English. Every short text is practice for this task.
Purpose. Details. Inference. Tone.
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