TOEFL sample questions: 2026-format Reading and Writing tasks with answers

5 original questions in the TOEFL iBT task types used since 21 January 2026; the answer and explanation sit under each question. Speaking sample questions have their own page.

Short answer

The 2026 TOEFL iBT has four sections: adaptive Reading (Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, Read an Academic Passage) and Listening, then Writing (Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Write for an Academic Discussion) and Speaking (Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview). Scores are on the 1–6 band scale. The samples below show the Reading and Writing types.

Sample questions and answers

Question 1 · Reading

Passage

CAMPUS FITNESS CENTER: HOLIDAY HOURS From December 20 to January 3, the fitness center will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and will be closed on weekends. Group classes will not run during this period. Lockers must be emptied by December 19; items left after that date will be taken to the lost-and-found office. Regular hours return on January 4.

What is the main purpose of the notice?

  1. To report items found in the fitness center
  2. To advertise new group classes in January
  3. To explain how to rent a locker
  4. To announce reduced opening hours during the holidays — correct answer

Explanation: The title and first sentence announce shorter hours from December 20 to January 3; the rest are details.

Question 2 · Reading

Passage

CAMPUS FITNESS CENTER: HOLIDAY HOURS From December 20 to January 3, the fitness center will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and will be closed on weekends. Group classes will not run during this period. Lockers must be emptied by December 19; items left after that date will be taken to the lost-and-found office. Regular hours return on January 4.

What will happen to items left in lockers after December 19?

  1. They will be returned to their owners by mail
  2. They will stay in the lockers until January 4
  3. They will be moved to the lost-and-found office — correct answer
  4. They will be thrown away

Explanation: The notice says items left after that date will be taken to the lost-and-found office.

Question 3 · Vocabulary

Passage

Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor, yet they support roughly a quarter of all marine species. Much of this diversity depends on a partnership between corals and tiny algae that live inside their tissues. The algae supply the coral with food produced by photosynthesis, and in return they receive shelter and nutrients. When water temperatures rise too far, this partnership breaks down: the corals expel the algae and turn white, a process known as bleaching. Bleached corals are not dead, but without their partners they are far more vulnerable to disease.

The word "expel" in the passage is closest in meaning to

  1. protect
  2. push out — correct answer
  3. attract
  4. feed

Explanation: The corals expel the algae and turn white: they push them out, which is why the partnership breaks down.

Question 4 · Grammar

Build a correct sentence: "Can you help me with the assignment?" then "___"

  1. Sure, I'll come by after my last class. — correct answer
  2. Sure, after my last class come by I will.
  3. Sure, I'll come after by my last class.
  4. Sure, I come by will after my last class.

Explanation: "Come by" is a phrasal verb that stays together; future: will + verb + time phrase.

Question 5 · Grammar

Build a correct sentence: "Why is the lab closed?" then "___"

  1. This week the equipment repaired is being.
  2. The equipment is repairing this week.
  3. The equipment being is repaired this week.
  4. The equipment is being repaired this week. — correct answer

Explanation: The equipment does not repair itself, and the work is ongoing: present continuous passive, "is being repaired".

How to approach TOEFL questions

  • In the adaptive sections the first stage decides the second; focus on accuracy over speed at the start.
  • In Complete the Words, use the sentence’s grammar (tense, singular or plural) when guessing the missing letters.
  • In Build a Sentence, place the subject and verb first, then attach the remaining pieces.
  • In academic passages the first sentence of a paragraph carries the main idea; go back to the paragraph for detail questions.

Frequently asked questions

Are past TOEFL papers published?

ETS does not release real tests; it offers free official practice tests and samples through TOEFL TestReady. Prepina writes only original questions in the same format.

Are old 0–120-format resources still useful?

Yes for academic reading and listening practice, but they do not cover the new 2026 task types (Build a Sentence, Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview).

Where are the Speaking samples?

The guide has Listen and Repeat sentences and Take an Interview question sets; on Prepina you can record them and get feedback on the 1–6 scale.

How do I take a try-out?

Start with the free 5-question test on the exam page; after sign-up, 2026-format Reading and Build a Sentence mocks open up.

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