EDUCATION REPORT - Foreign Student Series 9: TOEFL

EDUCATION REPORT - Foreign Student Series¹ #9: TOEFL
By Nancy Steinbach

Broadcast: Thursday, October 28, 2004

This is Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Education Report.

TOEFL is an important test for foreign students who want to study in the United² States. TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. And today, it is the subject in part nine of our Foreign Student Series.

More than four thousand American universities and other schools require students seeking admission³ to take the test. It measures the ability to read, write and understand English.

The Educational Testing Service produces two kinds of TOEFL tests. One is taken by computer in a special testing center. This is how people in most areas of the world take the TOEFL. The second version⁴ is taken with paper and pencil.

One of our listeners⁵, Ana Paula Pinheiro in Brazil, has written to ask us about the minimum⁶ score needed to pass the TOEFL.

Colleges and universities set their own requirements⁷. But, in general, schools want a minimum score on the paper-and-pencil test of about five hundred fifty. This is out of a possible six hundred seventy-seven points. On the computer test, schools generally require a minimum score of about two hundred thirteen out of a possible three hundred points.

The TOEFL includes a part to test listening skills. A new TOEFL is being developed. It will also test speaking skills. This test will be given starting in September of two thousand five. The Educational Testing Service says it is still doing tests to see what might be considered a passing score.

You can take the TOEFL as many times as you wish. But you must pay each time. The cost is about one hundred thirty dollars. Experts say it is a good idea to take the test one or two times for experience.

They also say the best way to prepare for the TOEFL is to use English as much as you can. Internet users⁸ can find more information about the TOEFL at www.toefl.org. The postal⁹ address is TOEFL Services, Educational Testing Service, Post Office Box six-one-five-one, Princeton, New Jersey¹⁰, zero-eight-five-four-one, U-S-A.

Our Foreign Student Series is online at voaspecialenglish dot com. And if you have a general question about studying in the United States, send it to [email protected]. We can only answer questions on the air.

This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy Steinbach. This is Gwen Outen.

1 series   

n.连续；系列

参考例句：

• The students have put forward a series of questions.学生们提出了一系列问题。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

2 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

3 admission   

n.允许进入；承认；入场费，入会费，入场券

参考例句：

• We attached a condition to his admission to our school.我们对准许他入校附加了一个条件。
• By her own admission,she was responsible for the accident.她自己承认，事故应该由她负责。

4 version   

n.版本；型号；叙述，说法

参考例句：

• His version of the events is pure supposition.他对这件事的说法纯属猜测。
• What is your version of this matter?你对这件事情的看法 怎么样？

5 listeners   

n.倾听者，收听者( listener的名词复数 )；听众

参考例句：

• the demographics of radio listeners 电台听众统计数据
• The singer's high notes jarred on the ears of her listeners. 那位歌手的高音让听众们觉得刺耳。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 minimum   

adj.最低的，最小的；n.最小量，最低限度

参考例句：

• What is the minimum price?最低价是多少？
• Today's minimum temperature is 10℃.今天的最低气温是10℃。

7 Requirements   

n.所需的（或所要的）东西；必要条件，必备的条件；要求( requirement的名词复数 )；必要条件；需要；需要的东西

参考例句：

• the basic requirements of life 基本生活所需
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements. 这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 users   

用户，使用者( user的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。

9 postal   

adj.邮政的，邮局的

参考例句：

• A postal network now covers the whole country.邮路遍及全国。
• Remember to use postal code.勿忘使用邮政编码。

10 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。