How to Ace TOEFL Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension Section

Previously I had posted ways to acing listening and grammar section. Now I'd like you to consider the next; i.e. vocabulary and reading comprehension section. 

For your information, there are 45 minutes to complete the 60 questions for short-form TOEFL. For the longer form, however, there are 65 minutes to solve the 90 questions (20 extra minutes with 30 extra questions). 

This section is split into two parts:

• vocabulary (part A)
• reading comprehension (part B)

Useful Tips on Capitalizing Titles Correctly

Most people think using capital letters for titles appropriately is a piece of cake. However, that is not what I see on a number of writing pieces out there. Some mistakes are still noticed in compositions written by certain writers. 

Prior to learning the tips, these are prerequisite concepts that we are to know well. 

Parts of Speech

Parts of speech (or speech parts) are grammatical classes of words determined by how the words function in a sentence/ clause/ phrase (Kane, 1983: 667). 

The Advantage of Learning English for Brain

Good news for those who love to learn English. Don't you know that learning English (and any other foreign languages) can stimulate our brain performance? Hang on second, how is it so?

To begin with, let's touch on plain facts about human brain's anatomy. As we know, the modern human's brain consists of two parts; i.e. the right and left part. The right part is chiefly responsible for creative activities; whereas, the left plays a vital role in academic learning. The right part of the brain emphasizes on rhymes, rhythm, music, pictures, imagination. The left manages words, logic, numbers, figures, mathematics, and order. Both are interconnected by a 'bridge' named corpus collosum.

How to Ace TOEFL Structure and Written Expression Section

In the second section of TOEFL exam, our knowledge of English grammar and usage will be assessed. This section consists of two parts:

1. Structure (part A) : incomplete sentences (we have to choose the answer that completes each sentence properly) 
2. Written expression (part B) : incorrect sentences (we have to choose the wrong underlined part) 

Examples:

Part A

The horizon appears curved when viewed ....... a high place.

(A) with

(B) from

(C) on

(D) out of

Answer: D

Part B

Determining the meaning of vocabulary from context are important.

        A                     B                                  C                D

Answer: D (the wrong part is D, it should be "is")

Mini Glossary of English Learning Terms

When reading resources on English learning, you might encounter some  terms and abbreviations that are completely new to you. It happened to me some time ago and still  do now.  They are so basic that we feel ashamed to ask people what they actually mean. What makes things worse is we are way too lazy to research on our own. 

There are various terms and abbreviations we had better to get acquainted with or else we will get lost while people are talking about them, or while your lecturer is lecturing about one of those terms and abbreviations.

These are some terms and abbreviations that I gathered after a little research on the web since I assumed knowing what they mean is essential for us. 

British English VS American English: Spelling Differences

Previously on my post on differences among British, American, and Australian English, I pointed out some differences viewed from several aspects. I did touch on spelling differences. However, I did not mention all the differences between the major two variants (British and American) in great details. Now I take the liberty to explain the spelling differences in greater details but still in a succinct manner.

"Waltzing Matilda": An Australian Folk Song

On my college days, I used to take various subjects. I love taking notes and collecting handouts distributed by professors in each class I took. As a result, now I have a heap of paper sheets, each full of my handwriting and lecture materials. This morning somehow I happened to have a sudden urge to inspect that pile of paper and I found a song's lyrics originated from the land downunder, Australia. My professor teaching Australian Studies subject gave me this years ago and I thought it would be fun for you to know this song. But sorry in advance, I totally forgot how to sing it but if you really want to know how to sing it, try googling and scouring the web or try searching on Youtube.com. Perhaps that might be of help.