TOEFL atau Test of English as a Foreign Language adalah tes kemampuan berbahasa Inggris yang umumnya diperlukan untuk melamar beasiswa atau kerja di luar negeri. TOEFL terdiri dari beberapa bagian, salah satunya adalah Reading Comprehension, yaitu tes membaca dan memahami teks bahasa Inggris.
Bagi kamu yang akan mengikuti tes TOEFL, berikut ini adalah contoh soal TOEFL dan pembahasan untuk meningkatkan kemampuanmu dalam Reading Comprehension.
Contoh Soal 1
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
In the early days of space exploration, scientists were unsure about the effects of weightlessness on the human body. They were worried that prolonged exposure to zero gravity would cause health problems. However, as astronauts began to spend longer periods of time in space, it became clear that humans can adapt to weightlessness fairly well. In fact, there are some advantages to living in a zero-gravity environment. For example, astronauts do not need to exercise as much to maintain muscle and bone strength. The heart also has less work to do because it doesn’t have to pump blood against gravity. Nonetheless, there are still some health risks associated with prolonged weightlessness. One of the most serious is bone loss. Without the stress of gravity, bones become less dense and weaker.
1. What was the main concern of scientists regarding weightlessness in space?
A. The effects of weightlessness on the human body
B. The advantage of living in a zero-gravity environment
C. The importance of exercise in space
D. The amount of time spent in space
Jawaban: A
Pembahasan: Pada paragraf pertama, disebutkan bahwa “scientists were unsure about the effects of weightlessness on the human body”. Oleh karena itu, jawaban yang tepat adalah A, yaitu “The effects of weightlessness on the human body”.
Contoh Soal 2
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today. The Earth’s atmosphere is becoming warmer due to the excessive release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the air. This warming trend is causing changes in weather patterns, rising sea levels, and the extinction of many plant and animal species. The consequences of climate change are already being felt around the world, and they will only become more severe if action is not taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. What is the main cause of climate change?
A. The release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
B. Changes in weather patterns
C. Rising sea levels
D. The extinction of plant and animal species
Jawaban: A
Pembahasan: Pada paragraf pertama, disebutkan bahwa “The Earth’s atmosphere is becoming warmer due to the excessive release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the air”. Oleh karena itu, jawaban yang tepat adalah A, yaitu “The release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere”.
Contoh Soal 3
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Margarine is a popular substitute for butter, especially for people who are trying to reduce their intake of saturated fats. While margarine is lower in saturated fat than butter, it is usually higher in trans fats. Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat that are chemically modified to make them more solid. Like saturated fats, trans fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Therefore, it is important to choose margarine that is low in trans fats.
3. Why is margarine a popular substitute for butter?
A. Because it is lower in saturated fat
B. Because it is higher in trans fats
C. Because it is more solid
D. Because it is chemically modified
Jawaban: A
Pembahasan: Pada paragraf pertama, disebutkan bahwa “margarine is a popular substitute for butter, especially for people who are trying to reduce their intake of saturated fats”. Oleh karena itu, jawaban yang tepat adalah A, yaitu “Because it is lower in saturated fat”.
Contoh Soal 4
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
The internet has revolutionized the way we communicate and access information. With just a few clicks, we can connect with people around the world, learn new skills, and access a wealth of knowledge. However, the internet also has its downsides. For example, it can be a breeding ground for cyberbullying and online harassment. It can also be a source of misinformation and fake news. Therefore, it is important to use the internet responsibly and critically evaluate the information we find online.
4. What is one of the downsides of the internet?
A. Cyberbullying
B. The ability to connect with people around the world
C. The ease of accessing information
D. The internet’s revolutionary impact
Jawaban: A
Pembahasan: Pada paragraf kedua, disebutkan bahwa “the internet also has its downsides. For example, it can be a breeding ground for cyberbullying and online harassment”. Oleh karena itu, jawaban yang tepat adalah A, yaitu “Cyberbullying”.
Contoh Soal 5
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Although many people believe that happiness is the key to a fulfilling life, recent research suggests that meaning may be even more important. According to a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, people who have a sense of purpose in life are more likely to be happy and healthy than those who do not. This sense of purpose can come from many sources, such as work, family, spirituality, or personal goals.
5. What is the main point of the passage?
A. Happiness is the key to a fulfilling life
B. Meaning is more important than happiness
C. People with a sense of purpose are happier and healthier
D. A sense of purpose can come from many sources
Jawaban: C
Pembahasan: Pada paragraf pertama, disebutkan bahwa “recent research suggests that meaning may be even more important. According to a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, people who have a sense of purpose in life are more likely to be happy and healthy than those who do not”. Oleh karena itu, jawaban yang tepat adalah C, yaitu “People with a sense of purpose are happier and healthier”.
Kesimpulan
Dengan mempelajari contoh soal TOEFL dan pembahasan di atas, diharapkan kamu dapat meningkatkan kemampuanmu dalam Reading Comprehension pada tes TOEFL. Selain itu, kamu juga dapat mengaplikasikan cara berpikir kritis dalam menjawab soal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Apa itu TOEFL?
TOEFL atau Test of English as a Foreign Language adalah tes kemampuan berbahasa Inggris yang umumnya diperlukan untuk melamar beasiswa atau kerja di luar negeri.
2. Bagaimana cara meningkatkan kemampuan Reading Comprehension pada tes TOEFL?
Untuk meningkatkan kemampuan Reading Comprehension pada tes TOEFL, kamu dapat membaca banyak teks bahasa Inggris dan mempraktikkan cara berpikir kritis dalam menjawab soal.
3. Apa saja bagian dari tes TOEFL?
TOEFL terdiri dari beberapa bagian, antara lain Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, dan Writing.
4. Apa yang harus dipersiapkan sebelum mengikuti tes TOEFL?
Sebelum mengikuti tes TOEFL, kamu perlu mempersiapkan diri dengan cara membaca teks bahasa Inggris, berlatih mendengarkan percakapan dalam bahasa Inggris, dan mempraktikkan cara menulis dengan bahasa Inggris yang baik dan benar.
5. Apa yang harus diperhatikan saat mengikuti tes TOEFL?
Saat mengikuti tes TOEFL, kamu perlu memperhatikan waktu yang tersedia untuk mengerjakan setiap bagian tes, membaca soal dengan teliti, dan menjawab soal dengan cara yang tepat.