One more worked passage, covering the three question types that come up most: a detail question, an inference question, and a NOT/EXCEPT question. For the full strategy breakdown, see the main Read an Academic Passage guide.
Take the free TOEFL Benchmark Test and get your estimated band score in about 45 minutes.
"Coral reefs, despite covering less than one percent of the ocean floor, support roughly a quarter of all marine species. This disproportionate biodiversity stems from the structural complexity reefs provide — the branching, layered formations create countless microhabitats unavailable in open water. However, reefs are highly sensitive to temperature change; even a rise of one to two degrees Celsius can trigger coral bleaching, a stress response in which corals expel the symbiotic algae responsible for both their color and much of their nutrition."
Question: According to the passage, what percentage of marine species do coral reefs support? Answer: Roughly a quarter — this is stated directly, so the task is locating the specific figure accurately, not interpreting it.
Question: What can be inferred about coral's relationship with its symbiotic algae? Answer: The algae likely provide corals with essential nutrition and color, since their expulsion during bleaching causes both a loss of color and a stress response — this isn't stated as a direct definition, but it's a reasonable conclusion drawn from what the passage does say.
Take the free TOEFL Benchmark Test and get your estimated band score in about 45 minutes.
Question: All of the following are mentioned as true about coral reefs EXCEPT: (a) they cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, (b) they support about 25% of marine species, (c) they are resistant to temperature change, (d) their structure creates microhabitats. Answer: (c) — the passage states the opposite, that reefs are highly sensitive to temperature change. The other three options are all directly supported by the passage.
Full-length Reading practice with detailed answer breakdowns.