Free TOEIC Reading Part 6 Text Completion Practice Tests with Answer and Explanation
I. TOEIC® Test Part 6: Mastering Text Completion
Navigating the TOEIC® Reading Test requires a good grasp of the English language, both in terms of grammar and comprehension. One of the sections, Part 6, tests this ability through Text Completion exercises. Let's dive deep into what this entails and how to approach it effectively.
Overview:
Part 6 of the TOEIC® Reading Test involves four concise reading passages or texts. These could be in the form of letters, memos, instructions, ads, articles, e-mails, or notices. Within each of these passages, test-takers will encounter three sentences that are missing words or phrases. Their task is to choose the most fitting word or phrase from the options provided to complete these sentences.
QUICK GUIDE: Text Completion
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Definition:
- Part 6 stands out as a litmus test for reading comprehension. It assesses your capability to integrate both grammar and vocabulary knowledge within a reading context, and to discern the meaning and usage of words and phrases in their surrounding context.
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Targeted Skills:
- Success in Part 6 hinges on one's ability to pinpoint the apt usage of English grammar and vocabulary. This extends to discerning the right context in which a word or expression should be used.
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Completion Types:
- Items in this part consist of sentences within a text that are missing key words or phrases. The test elements here echo the vocabulary, word forms, and grammar aspects touched upon in Part 5. A unique feature of Part 6 is the emphasis on 'Words in Context'. Here, among four grammatically correct words, the test-taker must choose the one that best fits the surrounding context.
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Things to Watch For:
- Beware of distracters! These are incorrect options designed to divert you. They often take the form of words that sound similar, phrasal verbs that might seem right but aren't,
- inaccurate word forms, or unsuitable grammar structures. For some items, while all options may be grammatically viable, the distracters won't align contextually with the sentence.
What You’ll Do:
Within Part 6, your main task is to identify the most suitable answer to fill in each blank. As an example:
- The first sentence may demand a grammar-centric approach.
- The second sentence might challenge your understanding of word meanings.
- The third sentence could test your grasp on the practical use of a word.
To make informed choices, always study the surrounding context of the sentences. The adjacent words or phrases can offer invaluable clues in determining the best fit for each sentence completion.
II. Understanding Text Completion Passage Types
In the TOEIC® Test, Part 6 challenges test-takers with Text Completion tasks, requiring them to fill in sentences that are part of larger passages. Being familiar with the various passage types appearing in this section is vital for effective preparation and achieving a high score. Below, we provide a concise breakdown of these passage types:
1. Letters
- Nature: Formal
- Characteristics:
- Commonly used for official communication outside a company.
- Examples include correspondence between a company and a customer or between employees from two distinct companies.
2. E-mails
- Nature: Informal
- Characteristics:
- Predominantly used for communication within the same company.
- Can be between two colleagues or different departments within the same company.
3. Memos
- Nature: Semi-formal to formal
- Characteristics:
- Usually addressed to several individuals within the same company.
- Purposed to share office-related information, such as:
- Policy changes
- Company-wide announcements
- Notices of closures or significant events
4. Ads
- Nature: Informative and persuasive
- Characteristics:
- Aim to inform the audience about a product or service.
- Regularly highlight aspects like:
- Special promotions or discounts
- Exclusive product features
- Competitive pricing or offers
5. Instructions
- Nature: Informative and directive
- Characteristics:
- Offer guidance on utilizing a product or service.
- Could include directions on specific tasks, such as assembling a product or returning an item.
6. Articles
- Nature: Informative and sometimes analytical
- Characteristics:
- Comparable to pieces found in newspapers or magazines.
- Topics could range from:
- Financial news or updates
- Details about recent research or studies
- News specific to a particular industry or field
7. Notices
- Nature: Informative and concise
- Characteristics:
- Designed to disseminate information about forthcoming events, such as workshops, seminars, or meetings.
III. Expert Tips for Success
One of the key sections of the TOEIC Reading Test is Text Completion, where test-takers have to fill in missing words or phrases in given texts. While it might sound straightforward, mastering this section requires a blend of strategy, practice, and awareness. Here are some expert tips to help you excel in TOEIC Reading Text Completion:
1. Understand the Context:
Before zeroing in on an answer, always read the entire passage to get a feel for its overall context. This will provide invaluable clues about the content, tone, and purpose, which will guide your choices.
2. Familiarize Yourself with Common Passage Types:
Knowing the nature of typical texts in this section - like letters, e-mails, memos, ads, and articles - can give you an edge. For example, if you know you're reading an ad, you'll expect promotional language or features of a product.
3. Watch Out for Distracters:
The options provided will often include distracters - words or phrases that may seem correct at first glance but are designed to mislead. Always be wary of choices that seem out of place in terms of tone, context, or grammar.
4. Brush Up on Grammar and Vocabulary:
While comprehension and context are vital, it's equally important to have a solid grasp of English grammar and vocabulary. Ensure you're comfortable with various tenses, prepositions, phrasal verbs, and common business terms.
5. Use Process of Elimination:
If you're unsure about an answer, try eliminating the most obviously incorrect options first. This narrows down your choices and increases your chances of selecting the right answer.
6. Practice with Mock Tests:
The more you practice, the more patterns you'll recognize, and the better you'll become at identifying the correct answers quickly. Make use of mock tests and time yourself to get a feel of the actual exam scenario.
7. Don't Overthink:
While it's essential to be cautious, don't spend too much time overanalyzing a single question. If you're stuck, it's okay to move on and come back to it later. Remember, time management is crucial.
8. Consider All Given Options:
Before making a choice, ensure you've read and considered all the given options. Sometimes, a later option might fit the context better than an earlier one.
9. Trust Your Instincts:
In many cases, your first instinct is often correct. If you've read a lot and exposed yourself to various English texts, trust your gut feeling.
10. Review, But Wisely:
If time permits, review your answers. However, be careful about changing answers unless you're sure of an oversight. Research has shown that initial choices are often more accurate.
IV. For effective skimming:
• Begin by identifying the type of the passage. Understanding its purpose will help you determine its intended audience and find relevant information.
• Overlook adjectives and articles such as "a," "an," and "the."
• Mentally catalog the kind of vocabulary present. This aids in making educated guesses about unknown or specialized terms.
• Spot transition words and the concepts they link.
• Observe the presence of numbers, dates, proper nouns, and technical or scientific terms in the passage.
V. In summary
Mastering Part 6 of the TOEIC® Reading Test requires a balanced blend of grammar knowledge, vocabulary skills, and an astute sense of context. Approaching this section with a systematic strategy can help test-takers optimize their performance and secure a commendable score. Understanding the nature and characteristics of these passage types can significantly aid in decoding the context and selecting the most appropriate answers for the Text Completion tasks in Part 6 of the TOEIC® Test. Familiarity with these passages ensures that test-takers are not caught off guard and can approach this section with confidence.